It might not look like much now, but back in the 1940’s, it was a downtown staple.

"This is an amazingly important part of history,” said Miranda Howe.

Sitting in the heart of downtown, Roswell Motor Supply served the community for 60 years.

It was the only place within 200 miles to buy car parts.

“At one time there was up to 30 countermen in here in a 50 foot counter," said Bill Blackwell.

Blackwell is the owner’s son.

The shop closed in 1999 after his dad died.

Its’ sat vacant for 15 years.

Inside the desk still sits full of paperwork and a calendar from November 1971 hangs on the wall.

“There’s never been a computer in this building, believe it or not never," said Blackwell.

Blackwell says he was planning to demolish the building, when he was approached by Trey Nesselrodt.

“It’s a remembering thing, there's been too many buildings of historical value that have been torn down in this town,” said Nesselrodt.

Nesselrodt got a group of people together to buy the building from Blackwell.

Over the weekend, the group raised over $60,000.

One anonymous donor put in $40,000.

“There are other people that have come in with anonymous donations to that were high dollar donations because this means something," said Nesselrodt.

The group plans to renovate the building and open it to the public.

“People have just long time memories of this place," said Howe.

The group still needs to raise more money for renovations.

To donate make a check out to Roswell Interarts Organization and drop it off at 309 N. Virginia at Nesselrodt Heating and Air Conditioning, or you can mail a check to Roswell Interarts Organization at P.O. Box 2271, Roswell, NM 88202.

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